Device and method for receiving streaming service data in mobile communication system supporting plurality of radio access interfaces

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a method for receiving streaming service data in a mobile communication system supporting a plurality of radio access interfaces, comprising the steps of: operating in a first mode for receiving, from a server, streaming service data through a first interface among the plurality of radio access interfaces; and determining a transition to a second mode for receiving the streaming service data by using at least two radio access interfaces according to a radio network currently being used in the first mode.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a U.S. National Stage application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of an International application number PCT/KR2016/010770, filed onSep. 26, 2016, which is based on and claimed priority of a Korean patentapplication number 10-2015-0136988, filed on Sep. 25, 2015, in theKorean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a device and method forreceiving streaming service data in a mobile communication systemsupporting a plurality of radio access interfaces.

BACKGROUND ART

When using services in a terminal supporting a plurality of radio accessinterfaces, advantages and disadvantages of using the services varydepending on a wireless network connected using the corresponding radioaccess interface. For example, it is assumed that a terminal supports awireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) interface and a cellular interface.

A Wi-Fi wireless network is free of charge, has a lower installationcost than that of a cellular wireless network, and generally provideshigh-speed performance. However, a Wi-Fi wireless network has limitedaccessible areas, and has a performance that rapidly deteriorates withan increase in the number of users. In contrast, a cellular wirelessnetwork charges for data usage and has a lower maximum available datarate than that of a Wi-Fi wireless network, but generally providesstable performance and has a wide coverage area. Especially, in a mobileenvironment, an Internet connection through a cellular wireless networkis generally stable. As described above, the Wi-Fi interface and thecellular interface may be mutually complementary, although they clearlyhave their own advantages and disadvantages c.

In accordance with the development of mobile communication, a terminalhas developed to support at least two radio access interfaces, but whenan actual service is used, an Internet connection is established throughonly one interface. Generally, the use of the Wi-Fi interface as aprimary interface is prioritized. Thereby, when a corresponding terminalmoves to a location where access to a Wi-Fi network is possible, anInternet connection is performed through the Wi-Fi interface even thoughthe actual speed of offered services is relatively high. In this case,the Wi-Fi wireless network may become relatively easily unstable in thewireless network situation. In addition, since the actual availableservice provision coverage itself is small, it may frequently cause adecrease in user-perceived quality with respect to higher services suchas streaming services or the like.

In addition, the selection and conversion (connection manager) functionitself of the radio access interface in a current terminal determines aradio access interface to be used according to a channel statusindicator received through the corresponding wireless networks, forexample, a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), and thereforethere is still a problem in terms of the user-perceived quality becausethe characteristics of the higher services such as streaming services orthe like cannot be considered.

Thus, new Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)-based streaming schemeshave been proposed in order to provide seamless video playback bydetermining video quality flexibly in response to changes in thewireless network. The New HTTP-based streaming schemes include an AdobeSystems scheme, an HTTP Dynamic Streaming scheme, an Apple HTTP LiveStreaming scheme, an Microsoft Smooth Streaming scheme, an adaptivestreaming scheme such as a Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG)-DynamicAdaptive Streaming over HTTP standard, an adaptive bit rate streamingscheme, and the like. While the new HTTP-based streaming scheme enablesseamless video playback, it is fundamentally impossible to reproduceimage quality beyond available bandwidth and it may cause a problem ofdeterioration of user-perceived performance due to frequent changes inthe image quality. That is, it is difficult to fundamentally solve theperformance degradation and fluctuation problem of the wireless networkonly by the adaptive streaming scheme.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

Therefore, there is a need for a method that can overcome thelimitations of adaptive streaming services based on a single radioaccess interface.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, provided are a methodand device for receiving a streaming service content using at least tworadio access interfaces in parallel.

Technical Solution

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a method ofreceiving streaming service data in a mobile communication systemsupporting a plurality of radio access interfaces includes; operating ina first mode for receiving the streaming service data through a firstinterface among the plurality of radio access interfaces from a server;and determining a transition to a second mode for receiving thestreaming service data using at least two radio access interfacesaccording to a wireless network that is currently used in the firstmode.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a device ofreceiving streaming service data in a mobile communication systemsupporting a plurality of radio access interfaces includes: atransmission and reception unit configured to transmit and receive asignal to and from a server; and a control unit configured to control anoperation in a first mode for receiving the streaming service datathrough a first interface among the plurality of radio access interfacesfrom the server, and to determine a transition to a second mode forreceiving the streaming service data using at least two radio accessinterfaces according to a wireless network that is currently used in thefirst mode.

Other aspects, advantages and essential features of the presentdisclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description, which is to be taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings and which discloses preferred embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

Before undertaking the Detailed Description of the Disclosure, it may beadvantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases usedthroughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise” andderivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or” isinclusive and means “and/or”; the phrases “associated with” and“associated therewith” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean toinclude, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be containedwithin, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with,cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to orwith, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller”,“processor”, or “apparatus” means any device, system or part thereofthat controls at least one operation, such a device may be implementedin hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least twoof the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated withany particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whetherlocally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases areprovided throughout this patent document. Those of ordinary skill in theart should understand that in many, if not most instances, suchdefinitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined wordsand phrases.

Advantageous Effects

The present disclosure can improve user-perceived performance byovercoming limitations caused by using a single-network-based streamingservice, minimizing data charges, and utilizing high-quality seamlessstreaming services.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an example of a configuration diagram of a framework of aterminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an example of a flowchart of the operation of a terminal in amulti-network-based streaming mode according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3A is an example of a diagram for explainingthroughput-proportional chunk division according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3B is an example of a diagram for explaining Wi-Fi maximumuse-chunk division according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A is an example of a speed limitation method in asingle-network-based streamlining mode according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4B is another example of a speed limitation method in asingle-network-based streamlining mode according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4C is an example of a specific embodiment to which the musicstreaming service according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an example of a flowchart of an operation of switching from amulti-network-based streaming modes to a single-network-based streamingmodes according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an example of a flowchart of an operation of switching from asingle-network-based streaming mode to a multi-network-based streamingmode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is another example of a flowchart of an operation of switching ina single-network-based streaming mode to a multi-network-based streamingmode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is another example of a flowchart of an operation of switchingfrom a single-network-based streaming mode to a multi-network-basedstreaming mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is an another example of a flowchart of an operation of switchingfrom a single-network-based streaming mode to a multi-network-basedstreaming mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is an example of a schematic diagram illustrating the internalstructure of a server in a communication system supporting a pluralityof radio access interfaces according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 11 is an example of a schematic diagram illustrating the internalstructure of a terminal in a communication system supporting a pluralityof radio access interfaces according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, operation principles of exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure will be described in detail with reference toaccompanying drawings. Like reference numerals designate like componentsin the drawings where possible even though components are shown indifferent drawings. In the following description of the presentdisclosure, a detailed description of related known functions orconfigurations will be omitted so as not to obscure the subject of thepresent disclosure. The terms as described below are defined inconsideration of the functions in the embodiments, and the meaning ofthe terms may vary according to the intention of a user or operator,convention, or the like. Therefore, the definitions of the terms shouldbe made based on the contents throughout the specification.

The present disclosure may have various modifications and variousembodiments, among which specific embodiments will now be described morefully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should beunderstood that there is no intent to limit the present disclosure tothe particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the presentdisclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Further, it will be appreciated that singular expressions such as “an”and “the” include plural expressions as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. Accordingly, as an example, a “component surface”includes one or more component surfaces.

Although the terms including an ordinal number such as first, second,etc. can be used for describing various elements, the structuralelements are not restricted by the terms. The terms are used merely forthe purpose to distinguish an element from the other elements. Forexample, a first element could be termed a second element, andsimilarly, a second element could be also termed a first element withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. As used herein, theterm “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or moreassociated items.

The terms used herein are used only to describe particular embodiments,and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein,the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well,unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the presentdisclosure, the terms such as “include” and/or “have” may be construedto denote a certain characteristic, number, step, operation, constituentelement, component or a combination thereof, but may not be construed toexclude the existence of or a possibility of addition of one or moreother characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements,components or combinations thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical andscientific terms, have the same meaning as those commonly understood bya person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosurepertains. Such terms as those defined in a generally used dictionary areto be interpreted to have the meanings equal to the contextual meaningsin the relevant field of art, and are not to be interpreted to haveideal or excessively formal meanings unless clearly defined in variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, anelectronic device may include a communication functionality. Theterminal may, for example, be a smart phone, a tablet Personal Computer(PC), a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-book reader, a desktop PC, alaptop PC, a netbook PC, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a PortableMultimedia Player (PMP), an MP3 player, a mobile medical device, acamera, or a wearable device (e.g., Head-Mounted Device (HMD),electronic clothes, an electronic bracelet, an electronic necklace, anelectronic appcessory, an electronic tattoo, or a smart watch).

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, theelectronic device may be a smart home appliance with a communicationfunctionality. The smart home appliance may, for example, be atelevision, a Digital Video Disk (DVD) player, an audio player, arefrigerator, an air conditioner, a vacuum cleaner, an oven, amicrowave, a washer, a drier, an air purifier, a set-top box, a TV box(e.g., Samsung HomeSync™, Apple TV™, or Google TV™), a gaming console,an electronic dictionary, a camcorder, or an electronic photo frame.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminalmay be a medical appliance (e.g., Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)device, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device, Computed Tomography(CT) device, and ultrasonic device), a navigation device, a GlobalPositioning System (GPS) receiver, an Event Data Recorder (EDR), aFlight Data Recorder (FDR), an automotive infotainment device, a marineelectronic device (e.g., ship navigation device and a gyrocompass),avionics, security equipment, or an industrial or home robot.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, theelectronic device may be a part of furniture or a building/structure, anelectronic board, an electronic signature receiving device, a projector,and various kinds of measuring instruments (e.g., water meter, electricmeter, gas meter, and electromagnetic wave meter), each of which has acommunication functionality.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, theelectronic device may be a combination of the above-mentioned devices.Further, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that theterminal according to various embodiments of the present disclosure isnot limited to the above-mentioned devices.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminalmay be, for example, an electronic device.

In addition, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure,for example, a terminal operates as a receiving device that receivesstreaming service data, and a server operates as a transmitting devicethat transmits streaming service data.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a methodand device for receiving a streaming service content using at least tworadio access interfaces in parallel in a mobile communication systemsupporting a plurality of radio access interfaces. In thisspecification, for convenience of description, the use of a radio accessinterface by a terminal and the connection of a terminal to a wirelessnetwork will be mixed and described in the same meaning.

On the other hand, the method and device proposed in the embodiment ofthe present disclosure can be applied to various communication systemsincluding mobile broadcasting services including an Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) (hereinafter, referred to as‘IEEE’) 802.16m communication system, a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting(DMB), (hereinafter, referred to as ‘DMB’) service, portable DigitalVideo Broadcasting Handheld (DVP-H) (hereinafter, referred to as‘DVP-H’), an Advanced Television Systems Committee Mobile/Handheld(ATSC-M/H) (hereinafter, referred to as ‘ATSC-M/H’) service, a digitalvideo broadcasting system, an Internet Protocol TeleVision (IPTV)(hereinafter, referred to as ‘IPTV’) service, and the like; and variouscommunication systems including a Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG)media transport (MMT) (hereinafter, referred to as ‘MMT’) system, anEvolved Packet System (EPS) (hereinafter, referred to as ‘EPS’), aLong-Terms Evolution (LTE) (hereinafter, referred to as ‘LTE’) mobilecommunication system, a Long-Term Evolution-advanced (LTE-A)(hereinafter, referred to as ‘LTE-A’) mobile communication system, aHigh Speed Downlink Packet Access (HDSPA) (hereinafter, referred to as‘HSDPA’) mobile communication system, a high speed uplink packet access(HSUPA) (hereinafter, referred to as ‘HSUPA’) mobile communicationsystem, a 3^(rd) Generation Project Partnership 2 (3GPP2) (hereinafter,referred to as ‘3GPP2’) High Rate Packet Data (HRPD) (hereinafter,referred to as ‘HRPD’) mobile communication system, a 3GPP2 WidebandCode Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) (hereinafter, referred to as‘WCDMA’) mobile communication system, a 3GPP2 Code Division MultipleAccess (CDMA) (hereinafter, referred to as ‘CDMA’) mobile communicationsystem, a Mobile Internet Protocol (Mobile IP) (hereinafter, referred toas ‘Mobile IP’) system, and the like.

First, terminologies used in various embodiments of the presentdisclosure will be described below.

(1) Segment

A segment denotes a part of a streaming service content, e.g., a videocontent, and the streaming service content includes at least onesegment.

When a streaming service is downloaded using a Hypertext TransferProtocol (HTTP) Progressive Download (PL) protocol and an HTTP AdaptiveStreaming (AS) protocol which are video streaming protocols based on anHTTP, a size of the segment may be determined as the following.

First, in a case that the streaming service is downloaded using an HTTPPL protocol, an entity fragmenting/merging streaming service data, forexample, a data assembler 114 c of FIG. 1 autonomously determines asegment size of a fixed/variable size in order for a terminal to use aplurality of radio access interfaces. For example, when the streamingservice is downloaded using the HTTP PL protocol, a segment size may bedetermined as 10 MB. Alternatively, the segment size may be determinedas a bit rate of a streaming service*segment time thereof.

Secondly, when the streaming service is downloaded using an HTTP ASprotocol, a basic unit to which encoding is applied based on a pluralityof bit rates is the segment. In this case, a segment size is determinedin an application layer.

(2) (Chunk)

When a plurality of radio access interfaces is used at the same time, achunk denotes a range or amount of streaming service data which isintended to receive through each of the plurality of radio accessinterfaces. The chunk is a part of the segment, and one segment includesat least one chunk.

When one segment includes a plurality of chunks, and the plurality ofradio access interfaces is used at the same time, each of the pluralityof chunks will be received through each of the plurality of radio accessinterfaces, or the plurality of chunks will be received through one ofthe plurality of radio access interfaces, or the plurality of chunkswill be received through a part of the plurality of radio accessinterfaces.

Exceptionally, when a size of a segment is less than a threshold segmentsize, a plurality of segments may be configured as one chunk. Here, thethreshold segment size may be determined appropriate to a situation of amobile communication system, and detailed description of an operationitself of determining the threshold segment size will be omitted herein.

Hereinafter, a case in which a plurality of radio access interfacessupported by a mobile communication system in an embodiment of thepresent disclosure support, for example, a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi)interface and a cellular interface. The cellular interface includes, forexample, a long term evolution-advanced (LTE) interface, an LTE-A(advanced) interface, and the like. Accordingly, a case in which aterminal according to the embodiment of the present disclosure supports,for example, a Wi-Fi interface and a cellular interface will be assumedand described.

In order to allow a terminal to be connected in parallel with two ormore radio access interfaces according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, a framework may be included in the terminal. FIG. 1 is anexample of a configuration diagram of a framework of a terminalaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a framework 110 according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure a media framework includes a media framework 112 fortransmitting and receiving signals to and from a media playerapplication (hereinafter referred to as ‘APP’) 100 installed in aterminal and a control module 114 for transmitting and receiving signalsto and from each of radio access interfaces supported by the mediaframework 112 and the terminal in a set 116 of the radio accessinterfaces.

In FIG. 1, it is assumed that the number of the radio access interfacesets 116 that is used for the terminal to be connected to a server 120providing a streaming service is 4. For example, the radio accessinterface set 116 includes an interface 1 (116 a) for supporting aconnection to the server 120 through a wireless connection to a cellularnetwork, an interface 2 (116 b) for supporting a connection to theserver 120 through a wireless connection to a Wi-Fi network, and aninterface 3 (116 c) and an interface 4 (116 d) for supporting aconnection to the server 120 through other wireless networks.

The control module 114 according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes a request handler 114 a, a connection handler 114 b,a data assembler 114 c, and a wireless network monitoring unit 114 d.

First, when an HTTP request for receiving a streaming service content isgenerated, the request handler 114 a divides the HTTP request into aplurality of HTTP range requests corresponding to the number ofinterfaces 116 a to 116 d supported by the terminal and transmits thedivided requests to each of the interfaces 116 a to 116 d. Forconvenience of description, it is assumed that a streaming service is avideo and the HTTP request is generated in order to receive each videosegment. The HTTP range request then refers to a reception request for aportion of the corresponding video segment. That is, the video segmentmay be divided into a plurality of chunks, and a reception request foreach chunk corresponds to the HTTP range request. Here, a chunk divisionmethod of determining the size of each segment may comply with theabove-described method according to the embodiment or may beproportional to the reception speed of each interface. Alternatively,the size of each segment may be equally divided or arbitrarilyallocated.

The connection handler 114 b performs a TCP connection (session) for thereception of a video segment on the server 120 through each of theinterfaces 116 a to 116 d included in the interface set 116. Meanwhile,in the case of the server 120, when data transmission/reception does notoccur for a certain period of time during TPC connections connected tothe server 120, the corresponding connection can be disconnected. Inorder to prevent such a situation, when it is in a backup mode state ina multi-network-based streaming mode, the connection handler 114 baccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure may establish aTCP connection to the server 120 via the cellular interface and monitorthe corresponding connection state. When data transmission/receptiondoes not occur through the corresponding TCP connection based on themonitored result, the server 120 may request the server 120 tointermittently receive a small amount of streaming data in order toprevent occurrence of a case in which the server 120 disconnects theconnection. Alternatively, when the server 120 disconnects thecorresponding connection, the connection handler 114 b according to anembodiment may establish the TCP connection again. When it is difficultto use the Wi-Fi interface through the operation of the connectionhandler 114 b, the connection to the cellular network can be guaranteedimmediately through the cellular interface in order to provide aseamless streaming service.

When portions of different video segments, that is, chunks, whichcorrespond to each of the HTTP range requests described above arereceived, the data assembler 114 b according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure recombines the received chunks in order and transmitsthe recombined chunks to the media framework 112.

The wireless network monitoring unit 114 d according to the embodimentof the present disclosure monitors the performance of each wirelessnetwork or interface. That is, the wireless network monitoring unit 114d measures and monitors the reception speed of each of the interfaces116 a to 116 d. Also, the wireless network monitoring unit 114 d maymonitor the reception signal state of each of the interfaces 116 a to116 d to detect the state of the corresponding wireless network inreal-time.

Hereinafter, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, proposed is amethod in which a target bit rate is set for a streaming service to bereceived by a terminal and a stable streaming service can be used byusing a Wi-Fi interface and a cellular interface in parallel.

Specifically, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, a streamingmode that allows a terminal to use a plurality of radio accessinterfaces in parallel upon reception of a streaming service content isdefined as a “multi-network-based streaming mode”. A method for limitingthe flow rate of data so that the streaming service contentcorresponding to a target bit rate can be provided when an existingterminal uses a single radio access interface is proposed.

First, the “single-network-based streaming mode” is a general streamingmode in which a terminal supporting a plurality of wireless accessinterfaces receives the corresponding streaming service content througha connection to a single wireless network.

Next, the “multi-network-based streaming modes” according to theembodiment of the present disclosure is operated such that a presettarget bit rate for the streaming service is maintained to minimizechanges in the quality of the streaming service (for example,corresponds to image quality in the case of a video service) and toseamlessly provide the streaming service of the target bit rate. In the“multi-network-based streaming mode” according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure, in order to minimize data charges, the connection tothe cellular network is limited to be performed only when necessary. Asto the target bit rate according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure, a user may arbitrarily select one of the bit rates providedfor the corresponding streaming service content, or the target bit ratemay be set as a default in the corresponding system. For example, thetarget bit rate of the streaming service corresponding to the videoservice is generally a high definition image quality or a quality closeto the high definition image quality.

Specifically, the multi-network-based streaming mode according to theembodiment of the present disclosure may include a fast fetching mode,an active mode, and a backup mode. FIG. 2 is an example of a flowchartof the operation of a terminal in a multi-network-based streaming modeaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, when a multi-network-based streaming mode isexecuted, a terminal performs fast fetching in order to reduce apre-buffering time and measure a connection state of each wirelessnetwork in operation 200. Here, the connection state of each wirelessnetwork includes throughput and delay of the corresponding network. Uponthe fast fetching, the terminal may simultaneously access a Wi-Finetwork and a cellular network using both a Wi-Fi interface and acellular interface to receive an initial segment of the correspondingstreaming service. The terminal may acquire the speed of the Wi-Finetwork through the fast fetching. For example, the terminal mayestimate the speed of the Wi-Fi network based on an amount of streamingservice data received per unit time during fast fetching. Alternatively,the terminal may estimate the speed of the Wi-Fi network based on anamount of streaming service data received every predetermined time fromwhen the terminal receives a streaming service chunk through the Wi-Fiinterface.

Next, in operation 202, the terminal compares a target bit rate with aWi-Fi speed. In operation 204, when the Wi-Fi speed exceeds the targetbit rate as a result of the comparison, the terminal operates in thebackup mode. In the backup mode according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure, when the connection to the Wi-Fi network isdifficult while an active state of the cellular interface is maintained,the terminal is intermittently connected to the server providing thestreaming service through a cellular network using an cellular interfaceto receive a small amount of data or to maintain only a TransmissionControl Protocol (TCP) connection for data reception.

In operation 206, when the Wi-Fi speed is less than or equal to thetarget bit rate based on a result of the comparison, the terminaloperates in an active mode. In the active mode according to theembodiment of the present disclosure, the Wi-Fi interface and thecellular interface are simultaneously used, the streaming servicecontent is maximally received through the Wi-Fi network in order toensure the target bit rate of the streaming service to be received by aterminal, and the remaining portions of the streaming service contentwhich fail to be received through the Wi-Fi network are received throughthe cellular network. In the active mode, it is possible to support thesimultaneous use of two or more radio access interfaces using a chunkdivision method for the streaming service data. The chunk divisionmethod according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed later in detail with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

Next, in operation 208, whether the playback of the streaming servicethat the terminal desired to receive is completed is determined. Whenthe playback of the streaming service is not completed based on a resultof the determination, the corresponding procedure returns to operation202 to receive the remaining streaming service data. When the playbackof the streaming service is completed based on the result of thedetermination, the corresponding operation is completed.

The multi-network-based streaming mode according to the embodiment ofthe present disclosure may be subdivided into three schemes according toa chunk division method considering power consumption. Here, the threemethods include a standard scheme, a data-saving scheme, and abattery-saving scheme, and each scheme will be described as follows.

First, the standard method according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure is a scheme for ensuring a minimum quality at the target bitrate or more preset for the streaming service content, and receivesstreaming service data to be maximally received through a connection tothe Wi-Fi network and receives the remaining data through the cellularnetwork.

Next, the data-saving scheme according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure is a scheme for maintaining the quality corresponding to thetarget bit rate preset for the streaming service. At this time, when theconnection to the Wi-Fi network is possible, the terminal generallyoperates in the same manner as a method using the Wi-Fi interface(hereinafter referred to as a ‘normal mode’). When the terminal can useonly the cellular interface, the use of cellular data may be limited sothat the streaming service is provided at the target bit rate.

Lastly, the battery-saving scheme according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure is a scheme for reducing the power consumption byreducing the activation time of each of the Wi-Fi interface and thecellular interface while maintaining the quality corresponding to thetarget bit rate preset for the streaming service. At this time, when theconnection to the Wi-Fi network is possible, a chunk division methoddifferent from the normal mode and the data-saving method is used. Thechunk division method will be described later in detail. When only thecellular interface can be used, as in the case of using the cellularinterface in the data-saving scheme, the use of the cellular data may belimited so that the streaming service is provided at the target bitrate.

The chunk division according to the embodiment of the present disclosuremay be performed based on a power model considering promotion power,active power (for each throughput), tail power, and the like for each ofthe radio access interfaces. Accordingly, the chunk division is dividedinto a method of performing a chunk division in proportion to athroughput (hereinafter referred to as a ‘throughput-proportional chunkdivision’) and a method of maximally using the Wi-Fi network(hereinafter referred to as ‘Wi-Fi maximum use-chunk division’).

FIG. 3A is an example of a diagram for explainingthroughput-proportional chunk division according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. For convenience of description, a terminal supportsa Wi-Fi interface and a cellular interface, and for example, it isassumed that the cellular interface is an LTE interface.

Referring to FIG. 3A, in the throughput-proportional chunk divisionaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure, chunks can bedivided in proportion to the throughput of each wireless network for thereception of the streaming service content in Wi-Fi/LTE activationintervals 304 a and 304 b set in the same time interval. When thecorresponding streaming service content is received, a throughput 302 ofan LTE network is significantly larger than a throughput 300 of theWi-Fi network in the same time interval. Therefore, the proportionalchunk size can be calculated such as in Equation 1 below.

$\begin{matrix}{{{{chunk}\mspace{14mu}{size}_{{Wi} - {Fi}}} = {{segment}\mspace{14mu}{size} \times \frac{{speed}_{{Wi} - {Fi}}}{{speed}_{{Wi} - {Fi}} + {speed}_{{Wi} - {Fi}}}}}{{{chunk}\mspace{14mu}{size}_{LTE}} = {{segment}\mspace{14mu}{size} \times \frac{{speed}_{LTE}}{{speed}_{{Wi} - {Fi}} + {speed}_{{Wi} - {Fi}}}}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 1}\end{matrix}$

Here, a chunk size_(Wi-Fi) and a chunk size_(LTE) respectively denote achunk size for the Wi-Fi network and a chunk size for the LTE network,and a speed_(Wi-Fi) and a speed_(LTE) respectively denote a speed forthe Wi-Fi network and a speed for the LTE network. Here, the speed ofeach wireless network may be estimated by a terminal based on an amountof streaming service data received per unit time or based on an amountof streaming service data received every predetermined time from thetime when the terminal starts to receive chunks through the radio accessinterface.

FIG. 3B is an example of a diagram for explaining Wi-Fi maximumuse-chunk division according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3B, in the Wi-Fi maximum use-chunk division accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure, a time intervalcorresponding to a maximum value of a throughput that can be receivedthrough a Wi-Fi network is set in Wi-Fi activation intervals 316 a and316 b, and a time interval corresponding to a throughput of theremaining data except for the maximum value of the throughput acquiredthrough the Wi-Fi network among the streaming service data to bereceived is set in LTE activation intervals 314 a and 314 b so that thecorresponding time interval is processed through an LTE network. Asshown in FIG. 3B, the LTE activation intervals 314 a and 314 b is set tobe relatively shorter than the Wi-Fi activation intervals 316 a and 316b because of the LTE speed relatively faster than the Wi-Fi network.Accordingly, when using Wi-Fi maximum use-chunk division, data chargescan be minimized. When performing Wi-Fi maximum use-chunk divisionaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the chunk sizefor each wireless network can be calculated as shown in Equation 2below.

$\begin{matrix}{{{{chunk}\mspace{14mu}{size}_{{Wi} - {Fi}}} = {{segment}\mspace{14mu}{size} \times \frac{{speed}_{{Wi} - {Fi}}\lbrack{bps}\rbrack}{{target}\mspace{14mu}{bit}\mspace{14mu}{{rate}\mspace{14mu}\lbrack{bps}\rbrack}}}}{{{chunk}\mspace{14mu}{size}_{LTE}} = {{segment}\mspace{14mu}{size} \times \left( {1 - \frac{{speed}_{{Wi} - {Fi}}\lbrack{bps}\rbrack}{{target}\mspace{14mu}{bit}\mspace{14mu}{{rate}\mspace{14mu}\lbrack{bps}\rbrack}}} \right)}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 2}\end{matrix}$

Here, in Equation 2, in the Wi-Fi maximum use-chunk division, the chunksize of an LTE network may be calculated using a value obtained bysubtracting a value obtained by dividing a Wi-Fi speed into a target bitrate in FIG. 1 for the purpose of maximum utilization of a Wi-Finetwork.

Table 1 shows a chunk division method which is used in a fast fetchingmode and an active mode for each of three schemes of amulti-network-based streaming mode.

TABLE 1 Standard scheme Data-saving scheme Battery-saving scheme FastThroughput- Throughput- Throughput- fetching proportional proportionalproportional chunk division chunk division chunk division Active Wi-FiWi-Fi Throughput- mode maximum use- maximum use- proportional chunkdivision chunk division chunk division

Referring to Table 1, only in the active mode of the standard scheme andthe data-saving scheme of the multi-network-based streaming mode, thestreaming service data may be maximally received through the Wi-Finetwork using Wi-Fi maximum use-chunk division.

In comparison, in the case of a general single-network-based streamingmode, a terminal supports a Wi-Fi interface and a cellular interfaceand, for example, it is assumed that a cellular interface is an LTEinterface. In this case, since the speed of the LTE network is higherthan that of the Wi-Fi network, when an adaptive streaming scheme isused, a content at a target bit rate or more among contentscorresponding a streaming service to be received may be selected. Inthis case, regardless of a user's intention, the content at the targetbit rate or more is selected, so that undesired charging and batteryconsumption of the user may occur. Therefore, in the embodiment of thepresent disclosure, speed limitation is performed to maintain thequality corresponding to the target bit rate for data charges andbattery saving in a general single-network-based streaming mode.

FIG. 4A is an example of a speed limitation method in asingle-network-based streamlining mode according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed thatthe framework of a terminal is configured as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 4A, for example, it is assumed that a terminaloperates in a single-network-based streaming mode and receives streamingservice data only through an LTE network 420 through a socketcorresponding to an LTE interface. In this case, although not shown inthe drawing, a media framework 112 according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure continuously generates an HTTP request for a segmenthaving the quality of a target bit rate. Then, a request handler, whichis not shown, transmits the HTTP request to a socket, thereby limitingthe read speed of the socket for the streaming service data introducedfrom the LTE network 402.

Next, in operation 404, a data assembler 114 c recombines and buffersstreaming service data, a segment, or a chunk, which are introduced at aspeed corresponding to the target data rate through the socket, inorder. Then, in operation 406, a multiplexer performs speed limitationfor transmitting the streaming service data, segment, or chunk, which isbuffered through operation 404 operation, to the media framework at aspeed corresponding to the target rate. Specifically, the multiplexerconfirms a current speed of the streaming data which is being playedback in the media framework 112. The multiplexer sets a bit ratecorresponding to the current speed as a target bit rate and transmitsthe buffered streaming service data, segment, or chunk to be transmittedto the media framework 112 by an amount corresponding to the target bitrate. In operation 408, the streaming service data, the segment, or thechunk may be transmitted to the media framework at a speed correspondingto the target bit rate. Specifically, it is assumed that the mediaframework plays back a video of 1 Mbps. Then, by adjusting the speed ofthe streaming service data, segment, or chunk transmitted throughoperation 408 to 1 Mbps, it is possible to prevent the image quality ofthe video which is being played back from rapidly deteriorating.

In a specific embodiment, speed limitation according to the embodimentof the present disclosure may limit the size of a TCP reception windowadvertised for the LTE network 402 to limit the ultimate throughput. Forexample, the TCP throughput of the LTE network 402 can be expressed asEquation 3.TCP throughput=min(TCP reception window congestion window)/round triptime   Equation 3

Here, the congestion window is used in a TCP and can be defined as anamount of bytes that can be sent to a server at one time. Since the TCPfollows a process of transmitting a next packet after receiving ACK fora transmitted packet, the congestion window is used to adjust an amountof transmission according to a network situation while increasing theefficiency of the TCP. The round trip time indicates the time until theACK for the transmission of the corresponding packet is received fromthe terminal after the server transmits the packet to a terminal. Thus,by limiting the size of the TCP reception window to a streaming servicedata/segment/chunk having a size corresponding to a target bit rate, itis possible to limit the speed of the streaming servicedata/segment/chunk, which is actually introduced into the mediaframework 112.

FIG. 4B is another example of a speed limitation method in asingle-network-based streamlining mode according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. For convenience of description, it is assumed thatthe framework of a terminal is configured as shown in FIG. 1. It isassumed that a streaming service received by a terminal is, for example,a music streaming service. A music file provided in a music streamingservice is relatively small in size, and the LTE speed is significantlyhigher than the playback speed of the music file. Therefore, incomparison with a video streaming service, the music streaming serviceis rather a method of downloading and playing back the correspondingmusic file than a streaming method. In the case of using such a musicstreaming service, when a different song is selected during the playbackof a specific music, all the files of the specific music which is beingplayed back are already received so that unnecessary data charges mayoccur. In this case, in the same manner as in FIG. 4A, the mediaframework/music player 410 may perform speed limitation on musicstreaming service data received from the LTE network.

FIG. 4C is an example of a specific embodiment to which the musicstreaming service of FIG. 4B is applicable.

Referring to FIG. 4C, it may be assumed that a wearable device 420 isprovided with a music streaming service via, for example, Bluetoothcommunication with a tethering device 422. The tethering device 422 isconnected to an Internet 424 via the Internet 424 and cellularcommunication 428. Then, the tethering device 422 transmits the musicstreaming service data received through the cellular communication 428to the wearable device 420. At this time, the wearable device 420according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may limit theinflow speed of data that is introduced through the tethering device 422in consideration of the Bluetooth performance.

Although the case in which the speed limitation method according to theembodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a music streamingscheme has been described as an example, the speed limitation method isalso applicable to other applications that provide services other thanmusic services.

FIG. 5 is an example of a flowchart of an operation of switching from amulti-network-based streaming mode to a single-network-based streamingmode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Forconvenience of description, it is assumed that a terminal supports aWi-Fi interface and a cellular interface.

Referring to FIG. 5 in operation 500, the terminal operates in amulti-network-based streaming mode. Next, in operation 502, the terminaldetermines whether it can be connected to the Wi-Fi network. Inoperation 506, when the connection to the Wi-Fi network is impossiblebased a result of the determination, the terminal switches from thecorresponding mode to a single-network-based streaming mode. Next, whenthe terminal is switched to the single-network-based streaming mode andoperates, the terminal may control the speed of a streaming servicecontent introduced from the corresponding single-network so as tocorrespond to a target bit rate in the manner described in FIGS. 4A to4C.

When the connection to the Wi-Fi network is possible based the result ofthe determination, operation 504 may be selectively performed. Inoperation 504, the terminal determines whether a streaming serviceplayback retention time of the target bit rate exceeds a threshold timein a backup mode. Here, the threshold time refers to a minimum time fordetermining that the streaming service of the target bit rate is stablyprovided.

When the streaming service playback retention time exceeds the thresholdtime based on a result of the determination, the terminal proceeds tooperation 506 in order to receive the remaining streaming service datawhich fails to be received from the Wi-Fi network, and switches to thesingle-network-based streaming mode. Next, when the streaming serviceplayback retention time is equal to or shorter than the threshold timebased on the result of the determination, the terminal maintains themulti-network-based streaming mode.

Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawing, when the terminal isswitched to the single-network-based streaming mode at the time of theplayback of the streaming service content and then the connection to theWi-Fi network is possible again, the corresponding procedure returns tothe operation 500 so that the terminal may be switched to themulti-network-based streaming mode without having to determine whether amode switching condition is satisfied or whether user consent is presentor absent.

FIG. 6 is an example of a flowchart of an operation of switching from asingle-network-based streaming mode to a multi-network-based streamingmode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Forconvenience of description, it is assumed that a terminal supports aWi-Fi interface and a cellular interface.

Referring to FIG. 6, in operation 600, the terminal operates in asingle-network-based streaming mode. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, themode switching condition differs depending on the type of the currentlyused wireless network. Accordingly, in operation 602, the terminalconfirms the currently used wireless network. When the currently usedwireless network is the Wi-Fi network based on a result of theconfirmation, it is possible to utilize a unique adaptive bitrate-selection function of an adaptive streaming scheme. Specifically,the adaptive streaming scheme adaptively adjusts the quality of thestreaming service, for example, the playback quality in the case of avideo service, so as to correspond to an available bandwidth of thenetwork. Therefore, the degradation of the playback quality of thestreaming service received through the Wi-Fi network means that thedegradation of the performance of the currently used Wi-Fi occurs. Next,when the currently used wireless network is the Wi-Fi network based onthe result of the confirmation of operation 602, the correspondingprocedure proceeds to operation 604 so that the terminal according tothe embodiment of FIG. 6 estimates the state of the Wi-Fi network. Next,in order to use an additional connection to the cellular network onlywhen the estimated performance degradation of the Wi-Fi network occurs,the terminal confirms and determines whether the quality of thecurrently played streaming service is smaller than a predeterminedquality threshold in operation 604.

Meanwhile, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, anoperation of confirming user consent may also obtain the user consent indifferent ways according to the type of the currently used wirelessnetwork. When the currently used wireless network is the Wi-Fi network,the mode switching to the multi-network-based streaming modes means theadditional connection to the cellular network in which data chargesoccurs. Therefore, in this case, the user consent means the consent tothe additional data charges that occurs due to the connection to thecellular network. As a result, when the quality of the currently playedstreaming service is smaller than the predetermined quality thresholdbased on a result of the determination in operation 604, thecorresponding procedure proceeds to operation 606. Specifically, inoperation 606, the terminal confirms the user consent for the transitionto the multi-network-based streaming mode, that is, the consent for thedata charges resulting from the additional connection to the cellularnetwork. For example, the terminal may display a pop-up window thatrequests a user input for the consent for data charges from a userthrough a display. When the quality of the currently played streamingservice is greater than or equal to the predetermined quality thresholdbased on the result of the determination in operation 604, thecorresponding procedure returns to operation 600 so that the terminalmaintains the single-network-based streaming mode.

In comparison, when the currently used wireless network is the cellularnetwork based on the result of the determination in operation 602, theuser is currently using the cellular network in which data chargesoccurs. Accordingly, in operation 610, the terminal according to theembodiment of the present disclosure determines whether the connectionto the Wi-Fi network is possible. When the connection to the Wi-Finetwork is impossible based on a result of the determination, thecorresponding procedure returns to operation 600 so that the terminalmaintains the connection to the currently used cellular network whilemaintaining the single-network-based streaming mode. When the connectionto the Wi-Fi network is possible based on the result of thedetermination, the corresponding procedure proceeds to operation 612. Inoperation 612, the terminal confirms whether user consent for thetransition to the multi-network-based streaming mode is present orabsent. Specifically, since the currently used wireless network is thecellular network, the user consent may be confirmed by notifying theuser that further use of the Wi-Fi network is possible to obtain userconsent for the further use of the Wi-Fi network. Similarly, theterminal may notify the user that the further use of the Wi-Fi networkis possible through the display, and may display a window for requestinga user input corresponding to the presence and absence of the userconsent for the further use of the Wi-Fi network to obtain the userinput. When the user input corresponding to the consent for the furtheruse of the Wi-Fi network is obtained based on a result of theconfirmation, the terminal transitions to the multi-network-basedstreaming mode in operation 608. When the user input corresponding tothe consent for the further use of the Wi-Fi network is not obtainedbased on the result of the confirmation, the corresponding procedurereturns to operation 600.

FIG. 7 is another example of a flowchart of an operation of switching asingle-network-based streaming mode to a multi-network-based streamingmode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Forconvenience of description, it is assumed that the terminal supports aWi-Fi interface and a cellular interface.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, when the wireless network that is currentlyused by the terminal is the Wi-Fi network, mode switching to themulti-network-based streaming mode is performed when the same conditionas in FIG. 6 is satisfied. An operation of confirming whether userconsent for the transition to the multi-network-based streaming mode ispresent or absent in operation 706 may or may not be selectivelyperformed according to the embodiment. On the other hand, when thecurrently used wireless network is the cellular network, data chargesdoes not occur due to the additional connection to the Wi-Fi network, sothat the corresponding procedure proceeds to operation 708 withoutobtaining separate user consent for the transition to themulti-network-based streaming modes. In operation 708, the transition tothe multi-network-based streaming mode is performed. The remainingoperations are the same as those of FIG. 6, so redundant explanationsare omitted.

FIG. 8 is another example of a flowchart of an operation of switchingfrom a single-network-based streaming mode to a multi-network-basedstreaming mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Forconvenience of description, it is assumed that a terminal supports aWi-Fi interface and a cellular interface. In the embodiment of FIG. 8,it is assumed that the consent for the transition to themulti-network-based streaming mode received from a user is receivedconsecutively a predetermined number of times or more.

Accordingly, referring to FIG. 8, when the currently used wirelessnetwork satisfies the condition that the quality of the streamingservice that is currently played back in the Wi-Fi network is less thanthe quality threshold value in operation 804, the terminal transitionsto the multi-network-based streaming mode in operation 808 withoutobtaining the user consent for the transition to the multi-network-basedstreaming mode. Similarly, in the case of the currently used wirelessnetwork is the cellular network, when it is confirmed in operation 806that the connection to the Wi-Fi network is possible, the correspondingprocedure proceeds to operation 808 without obtaining the user consentfor the connection to the Wi-Fi network. In addition, the remainingoperations are the same as those of the operations of FIG. 6, soredundant explanations are omitted.

According to another embodiment, although not shown in FIG. 8, theterminal detects that the condition of operation 804 is satisfied, anddetermines whether the consent for the transition to themulti-network-based streaming mode is consecutively received from a userpredetermined number of times or more. Next, when the consent is notreceived from a user predetermined number of times or more based on aresult of the determination, the terminal may further confirm whetherthe user consent for data charges that occurs due to the furtherconnection to the cellular network for the transition to themulti-network-based streaming mode is present or absent, in the samemanner as that in operation 606. Next, when the user consent for datacharges is obtained, the corresponding procedure proceeds to operation808. Next, when the consent for data charges is received predeterminednumber of times or more based on the result of the determination, thecorresponding procedure directly proceeds to operation 808 as shown inFIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is another example of a flowchart of an operation of switchingfrom a single-network-based streaming mode to a multi-network-basedstreaming mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Forconvenience of description, it is assumed that a terminal supports aWi-Fi interface and a cellular interface.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, when the currently used wireless network isthe Wi-Fi network, the corresponding operations are the same as those ofFIG. 7, so redundant explanations are omitted.

On the other hand, when the currently used wireless network is thecellular network, in the embodiment of FIG. 9, the wireless network thatcan be further used is set to be switched to the multi-network-basedstreaming mode only when the wireless network is the Wi-Fi network inwhich data charges does not occur. Accordingly, referring to FIG. 9, inoperation 910, the terminal determines whether the connection to theWi-Fi network is possible. When the connection to the Wi-Fi network ispossible based on a result of the determination, the correspondingprocedure proceeds to operation 912. In operation 912, the terminalperforms the connection to the Wi-Fi network by a connection handler ina framework of the terminal.

When the connection to the Wi-Fi network is impossible based on theresult of the determination, the corresponding procedure returns tooperation 900 so that the terminal maintains the single-network-basedstreaming modes.

Meanwhile, although the switching operations to the multi-network-basedstreaming mode are shown according to the embodiments of the presentdisclosure in FIGS. 5 to 9, it is obvious that various modifications canbe made in FIGS. 5 to 9. For example, although the consecutiveoperations are shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, it is obvious that the operationsdescribed in FIGS. 5 to 9 may be overlap each other, may be performed inparallel, may be performed in a different order, or may be performedmultiple times.

FIG. 10 is an example of a schematic diagram illustrating the internalstructure of a server in a communication system supporting a pluralityof radio access interfaces according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10, a server 100 includes a transmitter 1011, acontroller 1013, a receiver 1015, and a storage unit 1017.

First, the controller 1013 controls the overall operation of the server1000. The controller 1013 controls the server 1000 to perform overalloperations related to a streaming service providing operation accordingto the embodiment of the present disclosure, i.e., a streaming serviceproviding operation for a terminal supporting a plurality of radioaccess interfaces. Here, the operation of providing a streaming servicefor the terminal supporting the plurality of radio access interfacesaccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure is the same asthat described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 9, so a detaileddescription thereof will be omitted here.

The transmitter 1011 transmits various signals and various messages tothe terminal or the like under the control of the controller 1013. Here,the various signals and various messages transmitted by the transmitter1011 are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 9,so a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

The receiver 1015 receives various signals and various messages from theterminal according to the control of the controller 1013. Here, thevarious signals and various messages received by the receiver 1015 arethe same as those described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 9, so adetailed description thereof will be omitted here.

The storage unit 1017 stores programs and various kinds of data requiredfor the operation of the server 1000, particularly, information or thelike related to the streaming service providing operation for theterminal supporting the plurality of radio access interfaces accordingto the embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, the storageunit 1017 stores the various signals and various messages which thereceiver 1015 receives from the terminal or the like.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 10, although the server 1000 is implemented asseparate units such as the transmitter 1011, the controller 1013, thereceiver 1015, and the storage unit 1017, it is obvious that the server1000 may be implemented in a form obtained by integrating at least twoof the transmitter 1011, the controller 1013, the receiver 1015, and thestorage unit 1017 into one unit.

FIG. 11 is an example of a schematic diagram illustrating the internalstructure of a terminal in a communication system supporting a pluralityof radio access interfaces according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 11, a terminal 1100 includes a transmitter 1111, acontroller 1113, a receiver 1115, and a storage unit 1117.

First, the controller 1113 controls the overall operation of theterminal 1100. The controller 1113 controls the terminal 1100 to performan operation of receiving a streaming service content according to theembodiment of the present disclosure, that is, to perform the overalloperation related to the switching to the single-network-based streamingmode or the multi-network-based streaming mode and an operation ofreceiving the streaming service content in the corresponding mode. Theswitching to the single-network-based streaming mode or themulti-network-based streaming mode and the operation of receiving thestreaming service content in the corresponding mode according to theembodiment of the present disclosure are the same as those described inFIGS. 1 to 9, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The transmitter 1111 transmits various signals and various messages to aserver or the like under the control of the controller 1113. Here, thevarious signals and various messages transmitted by the transmitter 1111are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 9, anda detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

The receiver 1115 receives various signals and various messages from theserver according to the control of the controller 1113. Here, thevarious signals and various messages received by the receiver 1115 arethe same as those described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 9, and adetailed description thereof will be omitted here.

The storage unit 1117 stores programs and various kinds of data requiredfor the operation of the terminal 1100, particularly, information or thelike related to the switching to the single-network-based streaming modeor the multi-network-based streaming mode and an operation of receivingthe streaming service content in the corresponding mode according to theembodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, the storage unit 1117stores various signals and various messages received from the server bythe receiver 1115, and the like.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 11, although the terminal 1100 is implemented asseparate units such as the transmitter 1111, the controller 1113, thereceiver 1115, and the storage unit 1117, it is obvious that theterminal 1100 may be implemented in a form obtained by integrating atleast two of the transmitter 1111, the controller 1113, the receiver1115, and the storage unit 1117 into one unit.

Particular aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented as acomputer-readable code in a computer-readable recording medium. Thecomputer-readable recording medium is a predetermined data storagedevice which can store data which can be read by a computer system.Examples of the computer readable recording medium may include aread-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a CD-ROM, amagnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, and acarrier wave (such as data transmission through the Internet). Thecomputer-readable recording medium may be distributed through computersystems connected to the network, and accordingly the computer-readablecode is stored and executed in a distributed manner. Further, functionalprograms, codes, and code segments to achieve the present disclosure maybe easily interpreted by programmers skilled in the art.

It will be understood that a method and apparatus according to anembodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented in the form ofhardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Any suchsoftware may be stored, for example, in a volatile or non-volatilestorage device such as a ROM, a memory such as a RAM, a memory chip, amemory device, or a memory IC, or a recordable optical or magneticmedium such as a CD, a DVD, a magnetic disk, or a magnetic tape,regardless of its ability to be erased or its ability to be re-recorded.It will also be understood that a method and apparatus according to anembodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented by a computer orportable terminal including a controller and a memory, and the memory isan example of a machine readable device adapted to store a program orprograms including instructions for implementing embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

Accordingly, the present disclosure includes a program including a codefor implementing the apparatus or method described in any of theappended claims of the specification and a machine (computer or thelike) readable storage medium for storing the program. Further, theprogram may be electronically carried by any medium such as acommunication signal transferred through a wired or wireless connection,and the present disclosure appropriately includes equivalents thereof.

Further, an apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure may receive the program from a program providing device thatis wiredly or wirelessly connected thereto, and may store the program.The program providing device may include a program includinginstructions through which a program processing device performs a presetcontent protecting method, a memory for storing information and the likerequired for the content protecting method, a communication unit forperforming wired or wireless communication with the program processingdevice, and a controller for transmitting the corresponding program to atransceiver at the request of the program processing device orautomatically.

While the present disclosure has been shown and described with referenceto certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore,the scope of the present disclosure should not be defined as beinglimited to the aforementioned embodiments, but should be defined by theappended claims and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of receiving streaming service data in amobile communication system supporting a plurality of radio accessnetworks, the method comprising: receiving at least a part of thesteaming service data on a first mode, wherein the first mode is a modereceiving the streaming service data through both a first network and asecond network; obtaining a target bit rate of the streaming servicedata; comparing a speed of the second network and the target bit rate ofthe streaming service data; receiving remaining part of the streamingservice data through a second mode, in case that the speed of the secondnetwork is greater than the target bit rate, wherein the second mode isa mode receiving the streaming service data through the second network;and receiving the remaining part of the streaming service data throughthe first mode, in case that the speed of the second network is equal orless than the target bit rate, wherein the first network and the secondnetwork are different radio access networks from each other.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the receiving the streaming service datethrough the second network comprises limiting an input speed of thestreaming service data provided through the second network, so that thestreaming service data having a size corresponding to the target bitrate is received.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the receivingremaining part of the streaming service data on the first modecomprises: determining whether a connection to the second network inwhich data charges do not occur is possible, when the first network is anetwork in which the data charges occurs, receiving the streamingservice data through the second network, in case that the connection tothe second network is possible, confirming whether a quality of thestreaming service data received through the second network is less thana predetermined quality value, obtaining user consent, in case that thequality of the streaming service data received through the secondnetwork is less than the predetermined quality value based on a resultof the confirming, and receiving the streaming service data on the firstmode, in case that the user consent is obtained.
 4. The method of claim3, wherein the receiving the streaming service data through the secondnetwork comprises: notifying a user that a use of the second network ispossible, in case that the connection to the second network is possible,and receiving the streaming service data through the second network, incase that consent for the use of the second network is obtained from theuser.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the obtaining of the userconsent comprises requesting a user input corresponding to whether aconnection to the first network is possible.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein the receiving of the remaining part comprises maintaining aconnection to the first network by requesting a small amount oftransmission of the part of the streaming service data to the firstnetwork.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving,through the first network, the remaining part of the streaming servicedata received through the second network, in case that the speed of thesecond network is smaller than or equal to the target bit rate.
 8. Adevice of receiving streaming service data in a mobile communicationsystem supporting a plurality of radio access networks, the devicecomprising: a transceiver configured to transmit and receive a signal toand from a server; and at least one processor coupled to thetransceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured to:receive at least a part of the steaming service data on a first mode,wherein the first mode is a mode receiving the streaming service datathrough both a first network and a second network, obtain a target bitrate of the streaming service data based on a quantity of the streamingservice data, compare a speed of the second network and the target bitrate of the streaming service data, receive remaining part of thestreaming service data on a second mode, in case that the speed of thesecond network is greater than the target bit rate, wherein the secondmode is a mode receiving the streaming service data through the secondnetwork, and receive the remaining part of the streaming service datathrough the first mode, in case that the speed of the second network isequal or less than the target bit rate, and wherein the first networkand the second network are different radio access networks from eachother.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the at least one processor isconfigured to: receive the streaming service data through at least twonetworks, and limit an input speed of the streaming service dataprovided through the second network, so that the streaming service datahaving a size corresponding to the target bit rate is received.
 10. Thedevice of claim 9, wherein, in case that receiving the streaming servicedata through the second network, the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to: notify a user that a use of the second network ispossible, in case that a connection to the second network is possible,and receive the streaming service data through the second network, incase that consent for the use of the second network is obtained from theuser.
 11. The device of claim 8, wherein, in case that receivingremaining part of the streaming service data on the first mode, the atleast one processor is further configured to: determine whether aconnection to the second network in which data charges does not occur ispossible, when the first network is a network in which the data chargesoccurs, receive the streaming service data through the second network,in case that the connection to the second network is possible, confirmwhether a quality of the streaming service data received through thesecond network is less than a predetermined quality value, obtain userconsent, in case that the quality of the streaming service data receivedthrough the second network is less than the predetermined quality valuebased on a result of the confirmation, and receive the streaming servicedata on the first mode, in case that the user consent is obtained. 12.The device of claim 8, wherein the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to: receive the remaining part of the streaming service data,and maintain a connection to the first network by requesting a smallamount of transmission of the part of the streaming service data to thefirst network.
 13. The device of claim 8, wherein, in case that thespeed of the second network is smaller than or equal to the target bitrate of the streaming service data based on the comparison result, theat least one processor is further configured to receive, through thefirst network, the remaining part of the streaming service data receivedthrough the second network.